Bulldog Wellness
December 2024 (Volume 2, Issue 5)
Influenza
Influenza is a respiratory illness that affects the lungs, nose, and throat. It is known to be fairly
contagious. Anyone can be infected with influenza but those who have known health conditions, 65 or older, and younger children are likely to have more serious complications.
There are actually four types of influenza but A & and B are the most well known. Influenza A is the most common strain seen during “flu season” and associated with being more severe. Flu symptoms can include fever, chills, malaise, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue and sometimes, though it is more common in children, vomiting and diarrhea. Roughly 8% of the population is infected with influenza every year.
Influenza is spread through droplet transmission, meaning tiny droplets are released into the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or talks. Those droplets then land in the mouth and are breathed into the nose; or land on a surface that is later touched by another individual and then ingested either through their mouth, nose or eyes. Individuals may be able to spread the illness to others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 days after becoming sick.
One of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection is to get a flu shot, wash your hands before
eating, after coming in contact with someone who is sick, and to avoid touching your mouth, nose or
eyes. The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the most effective first line defense in reducing the contraction of flu, and reducing the chance of potentially serious outcomes. Flu vaccines are designed to help reduce the amount of illness and the severity of illness. Individuals six months and older can receive a flu vaccine.
Nurses Corner – Stop the Spread!
‘Tis the season of sickness! To help us all stay well, one of the most effective things we can do to help
prevent the spread of disease is proper handwashing. There are four main principles to Hand Awareness.
1. Wash your hands when they are dirty and before eating.
2. DO NOT cough into your hands.
3. DO NOT sneeze into your hands.
4. DO NOT put your fingers into your mouth, nose or eyes.
It is also important to realize sanitizer is not a replacement for hand washing. Good hand washing includes washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
If you or someone you know is sick, that person should stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducer and symptoms are improving. Aside from washing your hands, cleaning infected surfaces and frequently touched objects, wearing a mask if you must go out in public, sneezing and coughing into a tissue and avoiding touching your mouth, nose and eyes are additional ways to prevent infection spread and protect yourself.
Biggest Loser Challenge will return in January! Watch for info after break.
Spanish Omelet with Potatoes and Chorizo
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 ounces Spanish chorizo (cured sausage), sliced into thin half-moons
- ¾ pound red potatoes, diced
- kosher salt and pepper
- ¾ cup flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
- 10 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Manchego or sharp Cheddar
- 1 small head green-leaf lettuce
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
Directions
1. Heat oven to 400° F. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the yellow onion and cook for 5 minutes.
2. Add the chorizo, potatoes, and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, 10 minutes.
3. Stir in the parsley. Pour in the eggs and stir to distribute the ingredients. Sprinkle with the cheese and transfer to oven.
4. Bake the omelet until puffed and brown around the edges and a knife comes out clean, about 15 minutes.
5. Divide the lettuce and red onion among plates and drizzle with the remaining oil. Cut the omelet into wedges and serve with the salad.